If your dishwasher drain line refuses to unclog, don’t worry – you don’t necessarily need to call in a professional just yet. There are some things you can try to unclog it yourself but, failing that, Ambient Edge is here for you for those tougher clogs that you just cannot flush out.
If you are unable to unclog your dishwasher’s drain line, or if you are too nervous to even try, give us a call to set up a service appointment. No job is too big or too small for Ambient Edge. We’re just happy to help!
Make Your Dishwasher More Accessible
This may seem like an obvious first step, but if you are panicking about your dishwasher not draining, you may not be thinking clearly. First, take all of the dishes out of the machine. Of course, if they’re dirty, keep them in a separate area from your other dishes, like on a towel on the floor – especially if they’re still wet.
It’s also a good idea to remove the bottom rack from the dishwasher so you access certain parts more easily. For instance, one of the parts we’re going to suggest you check later on in this article is the dishwasher filter. Since this is either at the bottom or back of your machine, depending on the model, you want to make your access to it as pain-free as possible.
Clear Your Garbage Disposal
If you have a garbage disposal attached to your dishwasher, then there’s a good chance the disposal may be clogged, which is why your dishwasher is not draining properly. Run the garbage disposal to chew up any larger debris that may be in there, and then clean it out if it is full.
Clear the Drain Hose
Clearing the drain hose is slightly more complicated than your average “easy fix,” but it’s nothing you shouldn’t be able to handle on your own. First, you need to locate the drain hose. Once you’ve found it, you’ll need to disconnect it. To do this, you may need pliers to help loosen it. But, before you do this, be sure to place a pan or dish beneath the hose to catch any water that may spill out during the disconnection.
Once you have the hose off, you can properly clear it out. You can use one of those inexpensive, snake-like tools or a commercial de-clogger. However, if you’re not seeing any clogs in the hose, then the clog may actually be in the dishwasher’s drain.
Throw in Some Baking Soda and Vinegar
The combination of vinegar and baking soda can solve a variety of problems around the house, and your dishwasher is no different. Simply make a mixture that is equal parts vinegar and baking soda. If you’ve never done this before, note that the solution will bubble violently – that’s okay, it’s supposed to do that.
Pour the mixture into the basket at the bottom of the dishwasher and let it sit for 15 minutes. This should eat away at any easier debris that may be clogging the drain. Pour hot water down the basket, and then run the rinse cycle.
Check the Filter
The problem may also be with the dishwasher’s filter. Typically, the filter is either in the back of the unit or at the bottom of the tub by the spray arm. If you have a newer dishwasher, these tend to have protective grates that keep a majority of the bigger stuff from clogging up your filter. However, a buildup of enough of the smaller stuff can create issues, too. Unscrew the casing over the filter and clean it out.
Check the Air Gap
Your air gap may be another source of your clogging problems. The best way to tell if your air gap is having problems is that, not only will your dishwasher not drain, but also your counter will flood. Take off the air gap’s cap and look inside. Clear out any obvious debris.
Can’t Seem to Unclog Your Dishwasher? Ambient Edge Can Help!
A clog seems like an easy enough fix. Simply find the clog, clean it out, and your machine will run like new again, right? But sometimes, that clog isn’t so easy to find. That’s when you need the help of a qualified professional like those at Ambient Edge.
Ambient Edge is proud to offer you a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee, and we are available around the clock for all appliance emergencies – not just those involving your dishwasher.
Call us, or submit your information via the contact form on our website, and let’s get started!